Phew!!!! Another Black Friday over and done. Are you a Black Friday shopper? I do not have the patience to wait in those horrifically long lines. It amazes me that anyone does. Now some of the deals I admit are very good, but I would just have to go without. I wait until the rush is over, and if it is left then I will get it, and if its not well...too bad for me.
Today is another wonderful day with a clean slate for me to fill. I am excited to see what wonders will unfold.
Have a beautiful day after black Friday everyone.

Thanksgiving

Wow...had a wonderful thanksgiving day. Was a little tired...but the who wouldn't be. All my food turned out great, except the brown and serve rolls that I burned on the bottom and were as hard as rocks...oh well something had to go wrong...LOL!!!
At least it wasn't something important.
Thank you Lord for a wonderful day. Missed my Dad something fierce, but I know that he would have been proud of us and happy that we were happy.
Well, off to work for the "yearly event " at wally world. I hope everyone gets what they need to start off their Christmas shopping.
Have a wonderful day all...I am planning on it.

Woo hooooooo Turkey day is almost here. How am I going to manage that with this bypass surgery????? Should be interesting...LOL!!! I will just have to be a good girl, and have a bite of 5 or 6 things! No matter what, the food will be good and the company will be better. I will be having dinner with my family. That is something to be grateful for.
I will miss my Dad. Holidays are just not quite the same without him, but we still love and miss him. We find it helps to talk about him. I think it makes us feel like even though he isn't with us in body, he is still there in our hearts.
Mom is still with us, and though she is in a lot of pain she still seems to be in good spirits most of the time. Thank you Lord for giving us more time to spend with her. We are grateful for every single day.
Enjoy your turkey everyone. Have a happy turkey day.

Just a quick note...to say hello...and thank God I am alive. I had a few bad days last week...won't go into details, but just suffice it to say....I am glad it's over. Now life it good...Christmas is coming, and after today I am off for two days. Yay!!!! That means I get to spend time with family, and maybe friends. Those are the best times...and I love spending time with family and friends. Life is good, God is great...and I am looking forward to this day. Smile everybody...it is catching.

Here goes another quick update on the life and times of Darlene. It is going to be another beautiful day...I just know it. Off to work, then a housewarming party for a friend with my sister...and then bed so I can off to work tomorrow...LOL!!!! Sounds fairly painless. No crafts to post...I have to take time to take the pictures. Sometimes...there is so much to do and just not enough time...but that means I am not bored. Don't you agree? Have a happy day all.

Christmas present

These are my felt cupckes. Don't they look good enough to eat? I have named them lemon meringue, red velvet, keylime, vanilla delight, and dark chocolate cream and milk chocolate cream...what do you think? Isn't some little girl going to just have a ball playing with these? Tea party here we come.

Here are some close up shots...They still don't show off the pretty beads as well as they could. Maybe when I take shots of the rest of them, I will take them with the wrap off and the beads will show up better. We live and learn

These are my bottle charms that I created. I needed something to put on my bottle of water when I put it in the refrigerator at work, so that I would know which bottle was mine when I came back to drink it later. This is what I came up with. Don't you just love the bottle I made to hang them on...LOL!!! These just hang over the neck of your bottle, and they have your name on them. I had a friend at work who liked them so well, she asked me to make her 4 of them. This is what I did on my day off while I was suffering from a stinking cold. Thank goodness for zicam. I could feel worse...Not feeling very good, but better than I could be.

Such a slacker!!!!

I love writing to my blog, but I just get so busy that I forget. I had a wonderful day off yesterday. I got up and made caramel corn. Then I took 1/4 of the caramel corn, and covered it with orange candy melts. Then I took another 1/4 and covered it with green candy melts. When I tell you this turned out delicious...I am not kidding. The only thing I forgot, was to put peanuts in it. Oh well, it tastes so good that noone will miss the peanuts. I made boxes and when I get home from work this morning, I am going to fill the boxes and deliver them to my family. Yay!!!!! They were supposed to be for Halloween...better late than never...is my philosophy.(If only you could see my sheepish smile)
Well, off to get ready for work.
Have a great day...I plan on it.

6 minutes before I have to get ready for work...so, I tell myself, what better thing to do that post a message on my blog...and the answer is...housework. Well, as you can see I picked the lesser of the evils...LOL!!!
I just had three glorious days off from work, got to spend time with family, one of my favorite things to do. I made some felt cupcakes and donuts for Christmas presents, and did some crocheting. I shopped at my favorite store...AC Moore. (should I get paid for saying that...LOL!!!) I could spend a fortune there. If only I had the fortune to spend. I just love that store.
So, now I only have 2 minutes and am going to get myself going. So...I hope everyone has a great day, as I plan to.

Believe it or not, I am getting excited about Christmas coming. What???? you say! Halloween isn't even here yet. Well, I am trying to make a lot of presents for Christmas this year, as money is tight...(just like it is for many many people). So I am having loads of fun, trying to figure out what I can make that will make everyone happy. It seems like two months is a long time, but I know that it will be here before I can blink. So with this in mind, I am trying to work on at least one present for a couple hours every night.
I want to post some more pictures, but will have to take the time...LOL!!! And there is always so much I want to do. Sometimes. I just sit in my chair and watch tv because I can't decide what I want to do the most. Do you think I am nuts? Well, I do. But it's ok. I like being a little nuts.
Well off to work...and another wonderful day in the neighborhood.

Well, let me see...what wonderful news can I impart today. Ok, well maybe today isn't a wonderful news day, but I am up, awake, and healthy. I think I am not feeling bad...so it must be a wonderful day. Another added bonus...I don't hear any rain outside. Maybe we will be blessed with a sunny day for a change.
I made cookies yesterday, and yes, I did try them out. I had a peanut butter cookie, and a sugar cookie. Now that means that I probably will not budge the scales any lower today, but that is ok. Today is a new day and today can be a good day. It will be what I make it so I think that I will make it good.
Hey everyone...have a wonderful day. Make it yours, and make it good.

Good Morning World. Another wonderful day in the neighborhood. It is getting cooler, and I am not too keen on that, but well, so far all is right with the world and I will thank God for that.
Have been having some tummy troubles since the bout I had a few days ago. Nothing horrible, just a lot of gas, discomfort, and some pains when I stretch to the right side or lift something too heavy. I do have an appointment with the surgeons office on the 18th, so unless it gets really bad I will wait for that.
I was visiting my Mom last week, and she said she wished she had a sweater set that my Gram used to make, to send to her grand nephew...who just had a baby girl. So, I came home and proceeded to see if I could make one. I found a lovely pattern http://krstl.tripod.com/id26_drawstring_purse.htm (scroll down to second pattern.) I adjusted it a little to suit my beginner ways...and this is what I came up with.

Another wonderful day in progress!!!

Well here I am with an update to my gastric bypass journey. Still losing hair, but not in gobs or anything...nonetheless...it is a little worrisome. I am, however, down 95 pds (which I might say is a step in the right direction.) It is pretty amazing how for a couple (sometimes even three or four weeks) you will keep on eating the same way, but not lose a pd. Then all of the sudden you will go down 10 or so pds...and the brakes come on...and there you sit for a while. Now I am not complaining, if my body needs some time to adjust to the new weight...I will allow it. (as if I had a choice...LOL!!!)
Anyway, after having a bad bout the other night...threw up for 3 hrs. (everyone is thinking it might be my gall bladder.) Yes, I was bad and ate a piece of Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was delicious, but I can guarantee that I won't be eating it again anytime soon. Bad, Bad...pains in my stomach and upper back. I have never had such awful pains in my stomach. Called the doctor and they said keep them updated, we may need to schedule an ultra sound. Doesn't that sound like fun.
Still.....down 95 pds...not complaining.

Ok now, here is something to make you hungry. This is a pizza made of felt that I am making for a niece for Christmas. I sure hope she is going to like this. First we have cheese pizza, then pepperoni, then mushrooms, onions, and peppers...am I making you hungry yet? Looks pretty tasty to me.

Latest project

I just finished this diaper cake. It is a centerpiece for a baby shower. The mother has already had the baby...and prematurely at that. Mother and baby are both doing well. Now it is time to celebrate.
I hope you enjoy looking.

Wow, it just seem like it has been impossible to post lately. So much going on. With work, and worrying about my Mom, and my sister having surgery....and work...and well, you get the picture. I just thought maybe I should throw in a line or two whether I had the time or not...LOL!!!
So here is a word or two on my surgery journey. I am down 90 pds now. I have to say that I am feeling a lot better than I did several months ago. I have an upcoming appointment with the surgeon for my 6 month anniversary. October 18th.
I have been losing a little hair everyday. I wouldn't say gobs, but more than I want to. I must call the doctor and see if there is anything that I can take to slow down the hair loss. As far as I can tell, noone has ever lost it all, but many lose some. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I would look terrible with no hair.
Ok...well thanks for listening. I am off to get ready for work.

Here is a little lamp I made, and sold at a craft fair. It is made with a teacup and saucer. I like the vintage look that I think it gives. The light from it isn't real bright, which makes it an excellent night light. Especially nice in a hallway where you just need a little light to guide the way; or maybe in a kitchen window.
This is one of those things, I hated to let go of. But, I ask myself, where in the world would I have put it????

Just a quick note. I am off to work today. Isn't it amazing how fast those two days off fly? Not that I don't enjoy every minute of it, but whew...they are gone and now It's work again. Now mind you, I am glad to have a job in this day and age, but still who wouldn't rather be home making crafts. I definitely would...LOL!!!
I went to the library yesterday, and found some really nice craft books to look over. What a nice day. I came home and had so much fun looking them over and trying to decide what I wanted to make first. The day before, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a few really nice things to help in making some crafts. Started on a Christmas present. I Love to Craft, just in case anyone ever wonders. It has been a really nice crafty two days off.

With Christmas just around the corner, (no I am not kidding!!! Only 3 1/2 months isn't much time) I thought I'd show these cute little Angels made out of yo yos. It takes three yo yos, and some cute graphics. Here is a great place to get your graphics, the prices are amazing and the graphics are fantastic. www.digiscrapkits.com/

I tried to find the site where I first saw this idea, but couldn't find it again. They are pretty simple to make though. You need three size yo yos, sew them together and add your graphic with some glue on top..attach a hanger and have a new decoration for your tree. Once I am not so new at this blogging, maybe I can get into a tutorial or two...still learning though. You probably wouldn't want me to attempt one yet.

Anyone notice the cute puppies in my sidebar. Today's is a bichon frise. My sister has one and she really is a cute puppy..(the dog, not my sister, although she is pretty cute too...LOL) I pick on my sister and call her dog a chiquaqua...(and I guarantee I spelled that wrong.) because she yips when she gets excited.
Well today is that day off, I have been waiting for...yay!!! I've already been up two hours, and here I am still on the computer. Of course, it is too early to make too much noise so, thus the quiet surfing. I have to get my daily computer fix anway.

Just a quick note

I have to get ready and head out to work, but wanted to say..I am so happy to be alive. Life is good, even when times are hard, and I am so lucky. Feeling good and tomorrow is my day off. I am planning so many crafts, that I probably won't get to any of them, because I won't know which one to start first...LOL!!!
Have a wonderful day everyone.

Gastric Bypass journey update

I have a friend who reminded me that I have not updated my bypass journey posts lately...so here goes..
It has been 4 1/2 months. I have lost 83 pds. I am feeling so much more energetic. Now keep in mind that I am 56 yrs old, and have been heavy all my life, so if you were to ask me if I could keep up with someone else my age, I guess I would have to say it depends on the person. I did go to an amusement park with my 44 year old sister, and my 51 year old sister and my neice. (I think I did better than the 9 year old neice!!!!!) I was able to keep up with everyone, (well, I have to be honest and admit that sometimes they had to slow down a little. There were a lot of uphills there. I am still using my cane, as my knees are in need of replacement and it will be a while before I am ready for another surgery..so am trying to get along. I had a wonderful time though, and I know that last year at this time, I would not have been able to walk through the park for a couple hours, much less almost 8. I still have some problems with some heartburn at times. I ate waldorf salad two days ago, and I can tell you that will not happen again for a long time. Too much roughage maybe...
Anyway, on with my journey and thanks for listening.
Stop by anytime. Leave a comment...I am a good listener too.

Who ever would have thought that towels and washclothes could be so cute. I made these for a craft show. Plus, the little dishcloth angels adorned baskets that my Mom gave as gift to co-workers. They are so easy to make and so fun. With Christmas coming up...they make wonderful gifts. They are decorative and useful.

A quick line on gastric bypass progress.

Well, the gastric bypass journey continues. I am now down 76 pds. I have lost three sizes almost 4 (depending on where I buy my clothes...LOL!!!) Most of the time all is ok....once in a while it is a little difficult, like when I go to a buffet restaurant, and can only eat a very tiny bit of food. I have to console myself with the thought that if I went to mcdonalds, I would spend almost as much, and not be able to eat it all. I am feeling much better, all except the really bad knee, that needs surgery. Well, I surely wouldn't want everything to be perfect now, would I?

Here are two toilet paper covers that I made for my Aunt. You know the ones that your grandma had in her bathroom...with dolls on top of the toilet paper. Well, I make those too, but these were just something different that I thought I would try. I didn't follow a pattern, so I am sorry I can't share it...but they did turn out kind of cute, didn't they?

These are two of my own inventions. They are toilet paper cakes. They make an excellent gift for a new home, a wedding gift with a little funny twist. I have made several of these for people to give as gifts, and everyone always enjoys them.
They are so easy to make and you can do so much with them. These were made with a Christmas theme, but there are so may other themes you can use.

Just got to add a little message about my surgery. I went to the doctors for my 12 week check up. I was told that I was doing well and up to par. At that time, I had lost 62 pds. I did ask the doctor if I shouldn't be losing faster. She said that I was eating too much. Instead of a cup of food three times a day, with a little snack at night of diet pudding, I should only be eating 1/2 cup of food. Well, actually as I thought about it, I was eating 1/2 cup at breakfast and 1 cup for lunch and supper. Anyway, I must say that made me pretty discouraged for a couple days. I did try to be better, but I have not cut down to 1/2 cup at this point. She (the doctor ) said that I should only be eating enough to sustain me. Anyway, after I went to the doctor, I got on the scale the next day and had lost two more pds. Now I am down 73 pds, and it has been 14 weeks. I feel that I am doing pretty well. I do have to be careful, as I have a tendency to eat a little too fast. I am really trying hard to slow down, as it does cause some pain when I eat too fast. I have picked up a little excercising. I walk on the treadmill three times a week for about 4 minutes, and 3 or 4 minutes on the ab machine.
well, enough about me. I hope everyone is having a splendid summer. I sure am enjoying it.

Here are towel elephants that I made. They make wonderful gifts. Who said that towels and washclothes are only good for bathing?

Just more stuff I made.

Here are two roomboxes that I made with printables. Don't they just make you want to remodel your home. Since I rent, this is my way to interior decorate. I guess I better keep my day job, but it sure was fun to make these. The little girl sitting on the bed was a little figurine that was given to me for Christmas one year. She just fit so good in the little room. I have more pictures of these rooms, that show more detail. Unfortunately, I do not have the rooms anymore.

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted about my gastric bypass. I am down 70 pds now. Yay!!!! I am doing well. I have realized, that I have more energy and want to do more things. That makes me excited. It has been almost 11 weeks now. I had a little popcorn yesterday at the movies, and my tummy feels a little scratchy today. Plus today, I will probably not lose anymore weight. It still is a struggle to lose weight, just seems to come off a little quicker.

Two diaper cakes I have made. These are such nice gifts for a shower. Everyone always raves about them. They are fun to make too.

It has been two weeks as of yesterday. I must say that I am getting somewhat tired of cottage cheese, yogurt, and applesauce. I did have one occasion yesterday where I actually felt a little hungry. Still up to now, I haven't had any actual hunger pangs. My tummy was soooooo sore yesterday. I am not exactly sure why. I can only wonder if it was because I sat up too long, or if it just was because!!! Today is my doctor appointment. We will se what they have to say. Hopefully I can add some eggs, and some chicken salad or something like that to my diet for a little variety.

bypass journey

Well, here I am again, and it has now been 11 days. Wow, time flies, even when you are not having fun... Well, I have to be honest and say I have had a little fun. I have been making some crafts, and that is always fun. I will make it a new goal to see if I can't get some pictures posted today or soon.
On to the journey though...I am feeling better in some ways, and not so in others. Suffice it to say, that I have had some problems. I had to call the doctor, and was told what to do...so now I am hoping improvements will come. I have lost three pounds every day since I got home from the operation. Today however, I stayed the same. That makes a total of 19 pds, which is pretty good in 10 days.
Today, I have all these twinges and sharp little pains in my stomach. If they get worse, I guess I will have to call the doctor again...I hate to be a pest, but I would hate even more to have something be wrong.
When I burp (bring up gas I guess would be more delicate) I seem to taste food I ate two days ago. This doesn't seem like a good thing. Just call me worry wart!

Surgery memories of gastric bypass

Since this is somewhat of a journal, I thought that I would throw in here that the worst moment I can recall of this whole journey, was the moment I woke up in the recovery room. There was a nurse standing over me, and asking me where I hurt. I can barely get out a sound at this point and it feels like it is coming from someone else. Of course, I say..My stomach, and my back. "Well," she says to me..." you just had surgery on your stomach and was on a hard stretcher for a few hours, of course your stomach and back hurt." So now, I want to hit this nurse and ask her what did you ask me for if I wasn't supposed to tell you? But I am not moving or even hardly talking yet...so I just groan. This of course does not seem to please this miserable recovery nurse who gives me a dirty look. Now of all the places you would want a caring, and thoughtful nurse, wouldn't recovery be one of them. OOOOhhhh....did she make me mad! Too bad I wasn't with it enough to take names....I would like to ask her if she didn't think she could adjust her attitude a little better for waking patients....What a world!

New day...why don't I feel better?????

Ok, well here we go with another post on gastric bypass. I am at the point where I really need to be feeling better, but just don't. Well, to be perfectly honest, in some ways I do. However, my stomach seems to be getting more tender instead of less. Leave it to me to take the hard road...LOL!!! I am not sure how much more protein drinks that I can take. Now normally, a chocolate shake would tast good once in a while. For some reason, there is definitely a difference. Can't imagine why.

More on the journey....

I did finally manage to get out for a few minutes and the weather was nice. It did seem good, but after three garage sales, and the dollar store..I was tired and ready to go home. Very shortly, I feel a nap coming on. Me, who never takes naps because they are a waste of time!!!!
First, however, I would like to share some thoughts on my surgery. As soon as the date was given to me, I had some misgivings and nervousness. It is surgery, so I feel that to be perfectly normal. I kept hearing one question over and over, that I thought was a little odd, but understood where it was coming from..."Are you getting excited?" I can honestly say, that there was not one point where I was actually excited. I was and still am, looking forward to starting my eating journey anew. This time around I will treat my baby stomach sooooooo much better. That is the plan.

The gastric bypass journey.

I know it has been forever since I posted here, but i thought now was a good time.
I have had gastric bypass surgery. Today is my 5th day. My stomach is in some pretty good discomfort. Not severe pain, as the doctor's office calls it, but discomfort. I am supposed to drink 60 grams of protein a day, and I am lucky to get down 18-20. They shrunk my tummy...it won't hold much more than three swallows an hour without discomfort...wow...what a trip.
I am going to get dressed in a few minutes, and see if getting out helps me feel better. Ready to try something different.
I will try to be back and fill in more details later.

This little bubble gum tree is a gift I made for my sister's hubby, who got way more bubble gum than any "kid" could ever chew. Since we all know that he likes it, he got some from everyone. So much for communication. LOL!!!
Wow, now it really has been a long time. Maybe if I post more often, someone will find me. It is 5am and I have already been up an hour. What have I accomplished in that time you might ask.
Well, I have checked my email, had my coffee and am now revisiting my blog....LoL...big accomplishments.